Cal High welcomes freshmen

California High LINK Crew leaders take groups of new students on a tour of the Whittier, Calif. campus during their Freshman First Day orientation program August 12, 2014. (Photo by Leo Jarzomb/Whittier Daily News)

“This makes me really excited for school, and I could tell the others are excited too,” said Dylan Calzada, who was promoted from East Whittier Middle School. “It’s a good change. I’m still a bird, but I’ll be a Condor soon.” Freshmen First Day started at 8 a.m. with team-building activities with Link Crew members, who will serve as mentors to the freshmen. That was followed by an introduction to extracurricular activities available at California High School and the debut of a student-made music video, based on the Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy.” The video was put together by nearly 150 Cal High students over the summer.

Student athletes, visual and performing arts groups, clubs, academics and student government members directed the video and wrote the lyrics, according to Whittier Union High School District.

The video promotes picking up trash, arriving to classes on time, carrying a student ID, and includes a no-bullying message.

Freshman First Day, in its 10th year, is offered annually at all Whittier Union High School District campuses.

“Freshman First Day really gives our students the opportunity to get a feel for what high school life is like and gives us at Cal High the chance to show not only what PRIDE is, but the sense of unity we have on campus, as well,” said Richard Rodriguez, assistant principal for business and activities. “They get to meet new classmates, bond with upperclassmen and take part in fun activities.”